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Digital Image: The Flame Nebula

This is a capture taken at the Observatory of the Flame Nebula, NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion. The bright star in the image is Zeta Orionis, also known as Alnitak. This is the lowest star in the Belt of Orion. We had an optimally clear night last night (1/24/2017) so I couldn’t resist. The trick to visually observing this nebula is to move Alnitak just out of the field, and the nebula will become visible.

Image Info:

Canon 60D with an Astronomik CLS LPR filter, at the prime focus of the KPO 18″ Reflector. 36 subframes of 120 seconds each, yielding a total integration time of 72 minutes. Captured and stacked in Nebulosity, processed in StarTools, and finished in Aperture.